TT manager disappointed with Red Force showing

published by ikhan on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 10:09

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - National team manager, Manohar Ramsaran, says he was left disappointed with the showing by the Red Force in their Nagico Super50 opening match against Barbados on Sunday at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain.

TT, under new captain Dwayne Bravo, were beaten by 28 runs which left them in third place in Zone B with two matches remaining.

“It was a bit disappointing. We were working towards this day but it didn’t transpire as we wanted it to. The boys will bounce back though,” he declared. With Barbados posting a demanding 269 for eight from their allotted 45 overs after rain had delayed the start, Ramsaran was asked whether the bowling let them down the most.

“We played under our potential in all departments. Our bowling and fielding could have been better,” the former TT Sport Minister said.

Prior to the TT innings on Sunday, the Leeward Islands were the only of the seven teams that played to not have a batsman post a half-century. TT, bowled out for 241 in 43.3 overs, became the second team with a batsman not to cross 50 with former skipper Denesh Ramdin unbeaten on 48 from 40 balls.

Ramsaran was untroubled by the stat, though, noting he was still optimistic of the team pulling off the victory despite the sub-par batting effort.

“From chasing a big score, I still thought the game was alive till the last wicket fell. It showed some fight by us, it’s just we lost wickets at crucial times,” he added. Looking forward to tomorrow’s crucial second match against the Leeward Islands in Tobago, Ramsaran made it clear that his players know a win is necessary to get their campaign on track and will be going all out to secure the first victory of the competition.

“Cricket should not be played on paper. Two good balls can decide a match so we will not be underestimating the Leeward Islands,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the TT manager believes the team’s bowling attack will be boosted by the inclusion of off-spinner Sunil Narine who is expected back today from the South African RAM SLAM T20 tournament where he helped Cape Cobras reach the final. “He will help any team. He’s a world class bowler. The guys have been looking forward to welcoming him back even before Sunday’s match,” he said.